Cleaning powder



' use.

NETEE AYES m W. SMITH, OF MHVNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STORES SUPPLY COMPANY OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION.

CLEANING POWDER.

1V0 Drawing.

sulphate or, as it is also known, sodium bi-' sulphate. This chemical makes an excellent cleaning agent and is one that can be obtained in large quantities at relatively low price in the form of nitre cake, a present commercial byproduct which includes acid sodium sulphate. The source of nitre cake as a by-product is too Well known to merit further comment. A great disadvantage in the use of acid sodium: sulphate, either in its chemically pure state or in the form of nitre cake, as a cleaning powder resides in the fact that it is deliquescent. This attribute causes this material to conglomerate upon exposure to atmosphere or other moisture and finally to assume the condition of a hard cake. Such attribute greatly detracts from its value as a cleansing agent. This is particula'ry disadvantageous under those conditions where it is highly desirable to employ acleansing medium in granular or powdered form so that the medium may be freely sprinkled from a container of the common.

form and sizes in general commercial Expensivehermetically sealed containers are efficient until the container is opened whereupon the unused portion of the material rapidly hardens and cakes and its flowing properties cease and its value for the majority of its uses is minimized.

Various combinations have been tried to retain the acid sodium sulphate in its granular or powdered form. Sodium chloride has been added, owdered silicate of magnesium has been ad ed or substituted as have various other materials. The sodium chloride is deliquescent and aggravates the hardening and caking attribute while the other materials are expensive and the merchantable product is relatively costly.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ma is, was.

Application filed January 31, 1921. Serial No. 441,512.

Prolonged experimentation and severe and varied tests have resulted in the employment, in combination with the acid sodium sulphate, of powdered wood. The wood preferably used is that which is commercially known as wood flour. The wood flour is not deliquescent and, mixing readily with the acid sodium sulphate, enters the interstices between the particles thereof and substantially coats the same. Upon contact with water, in the cleansing operation, the wood flour is washed from the granules and does not interfere with the well-known efi'ective cleansing action of the acid sodium sulphate. Furthermore, if the cleansing operation involves any rubbing action, the wood flour has the added advantage of providing a slight abrasive functionl The present preferred proportions of the two constitutents of the novel composition are: Seventy per cent (70%) by volume of acid sodium sulphate to thirty per cent (30%) by volume of wood flour.

Not only is a new and efi'ective cleaning powder provided that retains its advantageous powder form for prolonged periods, but also this new, powder -may be inexpensively produced from two materials, both of which are substantially. Icy-products.

It is to ,be understood that theinvention is not limited to the exact proportions here in set forth as the proportions may be varied with widelimits without losing the benefits of this advantageous composition.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by. Lettors-Patent is:

1. A cleaning powder including a mixture of acid sodium sulphate and powdered wood. I

2. A cleaning powder including a mixture of acid sodium sulphate and powdered wood JOHN W. SMITH. 

